The Brazilian libero picked up the MVP award at last year's event but will not feature for Brazil again in their 2010 campaign

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 30, 2010 – Brazilian libero and 2009 FIVB World League MVP Sergio "Serginho" Dutra Santos will miss the rest of the 2010 FIVB World League as the player is set for surgery on a herniated disc next Thursday.

He is expected to be out of action for three months so still has a chance to feature in Brazil’s FIVB World Championship squad and he hopes to help defend the title he won with the team four years ago in Japan.

"I am very upset with this whole situation,” Serginho said. “But I am confident that this surgery will solve my problem. This pain has bothered me for quite some time."

Brazil currently sit top of Pool A and are set to face Korea away from home in Gwangju on Saturday and Sunday.